Welcome to the Family Empowerment Report (FER) for July to December 2020.
Yalada, Close the gap. Historic targets. A new way. A better partnership. We’ve heard these often, especially lately… All potentially powerful, but powerless and only lip service when no plan of action is attached. Without a commitment to ‘how’ the discourse for change works precisely so that everything stays the same. The failings of Indigenous affairs are not due to Indigenous people making poor choices, lack of evidence about what works, or lack of money, the long and strong evidence base tells that the history of failure comes with refusal to commit to structural reform that thoroughly makes right the relationship between Indigenous people and governments. But HOW, is the perennial question. This has been the long 20-year journey of Cape York Partnership—to put into practice the ‘how’ with ‘Indigenous-led’ a fundamental practice from policy design to implementation.
The Mayi Market delivers fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat and seafood directly to the communities of Coen, Hope Vale, Mossman Gorge, and Wujal Wujal.
unemployment—in some cases higher than 80%. Cape York
This is ‘why’ we can report traction, we focus on ‘how’. You will note on page 10 our cogs of change—a system approach—a development agenda articulated and designed by our old people many decades ago starting with families. Our mantra and focus on those cogs of development have not changed.
Institute (CYI), in partnership with Professor Bill Mitchell of the University of New South Wales submitted to the Australian Government in July “A National Job Guarantee” policy. We have argued that 1,400 jobs could be created in communities and around the state (for those willing to relocate) by Councils,
This report demonstrates when the opportunity and policy is Indigenous-designed and led our families respond well and the new Mayi Market, launched during COVID-19 is a good example. Four small Cape York communities in the last six months bought 2,700 boxes of quality affordable fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, spending more than $100,000. They are smashing this myth that our people don’t make healthy choices. Affordable healthy food is a basic human right. Bad policy and a sustained indifference to the lives of Indigenous people has created an environment for unhealthy behaviour.
PBCs (Prescribed Bodies Corporate), non-government entities, and social organisations. We call for 100% employment to shift that cog once and for all. Governments must not turn away any longer from the loud voices on this issue of jobs. Our people do not choose poor health. Our children are 125 times more likely to suffer rheumatic fever that could be prevented, treated, and even eradicated from communities as it has been in third world countries. I raise this because we report here on a student at Djarragun College, a Rheumatic Fever survivor, who will experience lifelong problems. This
This indifference to our lives can be seen clearly in the employment and economic justice space in Cape York and those cogs remain stuck unless there is commitment to structural reform. Again, but ‘how’.
student will struggle without health seeking behaviour. But again, ‘how’. This is why Nagk Min Health exists at our College, to embed health seeking behaviour amongst our students and families as early as possible. Students and their families
Instead of the Government funding unemployment through passive welfare, we are proposing a Job Guarantee—full employment for those who want a job. In 1945-1975 the Commonwealth had an official policy of full employment. For 30 years every Australian who was able to work could get a job. This changed in 1975 and Government policy has resulted in many Indigenous communities experiencing intolerable
are offered culturally sensitive general health, developmental care, parenting support, Indigenous psychology and traumainformed care. Their families are also supported to navigate the complex health system, specialists are brought on site and transport is provided for those who would otherwise not make a health check.
4
